E.D. Kain: Sleaze-Blogging Asshat Who Would Sell Your Ass Down the River for One Night With Andrew Sullivan

I've learned that Barrett Brown has ended his relationship with E.D. Kain at Ordinary Gentlemen. Charles Johnson at LGF too, about which you can hear at the clip. I had an e-mail exchange with Barrett a couple of weeks ago and told him the truth about both E.D. and C.J. Barrett wasn't having problems then, so it was mostly academic. Now though things have gotten rather nasty. I hate to say I told you so ...

I should have more on this later, but check E.D.'s comment at the entry, "All Apologies":

I’m going to research ways to better protect commenter privacy, including implementing a new commenting software altogether such as Disqus.

And at the thread, the responses from a couple regulars a bit futher down:

Mike at The Big Stick December 18, 2010 at 6:29 am

About 3 years ago I was involved with a politics chatboard and got on the bad side of the board owner. Since I was occasionally posting from work (come on guys – we all do it) he used my IP address to tell the whole board where I worked and threatened to call my company if i ever posted on his board again. This completely FREAKED ME OUT. The fact that I still post on other people’s sites clearly demonstrate some kind of danger fetish on my part but I think it’s reasonable that we should all be able to expect as much anonymity as we desire.

From reading through his comments on that other thread i don’t think Barret has a clue how wrong his actions were. Sorry to see such a low moment in League history and happy to see it (hopefully) put to rest.

*****

Mike Schilling December 18, 2010 at 11:05 am

This completely FREAKED ME OUT.

Too bad comments can’t have bits in flashing red 40-point type, because I’d need that to express how much it would have freaked me out.

Actually, it's not all that interesting beyond E.D. Kain's bullsh*t moral sweetness, a morality only in effect when the safety of his own blog commenters is on the line.

This guy personifies utter moral bankruptcy. I don't comment at Ordinary Gentlemen, but I'd be glad to provide Barrett Brown with background information on E.D., perhaps material that might go in a big piece at Vanity Fair. The guy's an ugly piece of progressive refuse and his reputation needs to be spread far and wide.

A Google search pulls up my entries: "e.d. kain workplace intimidation." And see especially, "E.D. Kain Alleges Defamation: True/Slant Blogger's Workplace Intimidation Attempts to Shut Down American Power!"

Added: At Diary of Daedalus, "Barret Brown Discusses Chuck."

The Secular Religion of Radical Progressivism

It's been almost two weeks since Elizabeth Edwards died. And the reaction to my comments are still reverberating around the web. Details on that below, but first it's worth sharing this quote from David Horowitz, at NewsReal Blog, "The Surreal World of the Progressive Left":

It is not for nothing that George Orwell had to invent terms like “double-think” and “double-speak” to describe the universe totalitarians created. Those who have watched the left as long as I have, understand the impossible task that progressives confront in conducting their crusades. Rhetorically, they are passionate proponents of “equality” but in practice they are committed enthusiasts of a hierarchy of privilege in which the highest ranks are reserved for themselves as the guardians of righteousness, and then for those they designate “victims” and “oppressed,” who are thus worthy of their redemption. Rhetorically they are secularists and avatars of tolerance, but in fact they are religious fanatics who regard their opponents as sinners and miscreants and agents of civil darkness. Therefore, when they engage an opponent it is rarely to examine and refute his argument but rather to destroy the bearer of the argument and remove him from the plain of battle.

I've written much on the totalizing secular religion of the progressive left, most recently, for example, at "Totalitarian Faith." But I've learned much more since Elizabeth Edwards died. I think by now it's fair say that my essay, "Elizabeth Edwards' Parting Statement Omits Mention of Faith in God," has received more attention on the radical left than anything else I've written. And I know why: My concluding paragraph at the post was like hitting a grand slam. Not only did I find it odd that Mrs. Edwards had abandoned God but I made an explicit connection between her views and those of the progressives, and I pulled those together by noting my surprise at how high "God is dead" nihilism had reached into the "precincts" of neo-communism. The reaction has been unreal, perhaps animalistic, even demonic. It was like waving a crucifix in the face of the progressive left. Retaliation for deviating from the accepted narrative came swiftly. The evil monkeys swarmed my comments. I got hate mail. And then angry atheists contacted the department chair at my college. The resident demons at that atheist blog were enraged when my colleague handled the incident professionally. One suggested that they get the complaint "Pharyngulated." That would be a campaign of viral hatred and intimidation akin to a DDoS attack, although the term didn't ring a bell initially. But yesterday PZ Myers linked, and the bell went off. Myers publishes Pharyngula, which was proclaimed by the journal Nature as "the top-ranked blog written by a scientist." The blog is obviously revered across the God-hating world. And Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, and one of the most famous atheist avatars on the scene, linked to Myers' post — and the commenters there appended my entry to the thread.

That's pretty astounding — no doubt an epic badge of honor for a Christian warrior! My only regret is that Tintin, the demonic prick at Sadly No!, didn't link the post. Now THAT really would have made my day, because, you know, there's no such thing REAL atheistic communism.

P.S. I just noticed that Huffington Post still features the Thanksgiving essay from 2006 praying for Dick Cheney to have another heart attack, "to rid the planet of its Number One Human Tumor."

Right.

Praying for the death of the Vice President of the United States. Hmm ... intolerance of competing opinion, campaigns of retaliation and workplace harassment, with the prototypical example of leftist death-wish hypocrisy? Behold the secular religion of radical progressivism.

Extending the Bush Tax Cuts — Journal Editorial Report

Scroll forward to 8:00 minutes for the discussion of the Bush tax cuts. Kimberley Strassel's always on target, and the last segment talks about taking on the public sector unions in the states. Good stuff:

Will Fears of Terrorism Upset Holiday Travel Plans?

A follow-up to yesterday's report, "Holiday Terror Warning Cites Car Bombs and Small Arms Attack."

At Fox News, "U.S. Concerned About Terror Attacks During Holidays."

And be sure to click the video. Laura Ingle looks fabulous:

Penélope Cruz Anchor Baby?

At NewsReal Blog, "Penélope Cruz Will Bear “Anchor Baby,” Latino Republicans Protest."

Yes, and this gives me a chance to post a fabulous picture, while spamming for some Google traffic.

And perhaps The Other McCain will link?

And don't forget to visit American Perspective, Bob Belvedere, Mind-Numbed Robots, PA Pundits, Pirate's Cove, Theo Spark, Washington Rebel, and Zion's Trumpet.

Senate Blocks DREAM Act‎ Amnesty Boondoggle

At Politico, "DREAM Act Dies in Senate" (via Memeorandum).

And at The Hill, "Pro-immigration groups decry 'shameful' vote; enforcement groups vow new push." Plus, at Michelle's, "They'll Keep Trying."

No doubt.

Gateway Pundit has more, "BREAKING: DREAM ACT FAILS TO ADVANCE IN SENATE."

IMAGE CREDIT: The People's Cube.

Progressives Attack Sarah Palin's Faith in God

Here's the updated clip featuring Richard Wolffe attacking Sarah Palin's citation of the works of C.S. Lewis. See, The Blaze, "C.S. Lewis Schools Richard Wolffe on Sarah Palin."

The story goes back a couple of weeks. See Cubachi, "Richard Wolffe mocks Palin and C.S. Lewis as just “a children’s author”"

Wolffe seems to think it is clever to mock Palin reading a “children’s author,” while disrespecting one of the greatest authors in literature. Yes, C.S. Lewis is most famous among the pop culture crowd with the movies and sudden ressurgance of The Chronicles of Narnia, which happens to be an allegorical tale of Jesus Christ, who became a human being, and gave His life to save undeserving human beings from the penalty of sin. (Richard Wolffe seems to be in the same boat as Liam Neeson when it comes to not understanding C.S. Lewis’ Christian tales.)

Lewis is also a well-accomplished Christian author who writes novels of human nature in some adult fictional work and essays on Christian faith.

Yet, it's more than progressive ignorance we must address. And it's not just children's books. It's the larger issue that leftists are attacking Palin on the basis of her faith. See, "Palin Criticized for Praying to God, Obama Given a Pass for Playing God."

I'll have more on these issues throughout the day.

Eminent Domain and the Little Guy

From Glenn Reynolds, at NY Post, "Columbia U. vs. the Little Guy" (via Instapundit):

Part of the American Dream was the expectation that if you started a business, you might go broke but you didn't have to worry about the government seizing your business on behalf of those with more political juice. That sort of thing was for Third World countries, corrupt kleptocracies where connections mattered more than capability.

Not anymore. In fact, some of those formerly corrupt Third World countries have started providing stronger protection for private property, as they've realized that the more power you give to politicians and their cronies, the less incentive people have to try to succeed through hard work. What's the point, if you're at the mercy of the cronies?

Plus, Randy Barnett, at Volokh Conspiracy, "“Rich Bully” Lee Bollinger “is Getting His Way”."

Obama's Tax-Cut Strategy Won't End Polarization

Background at The Hill, "House passes temporary extension of Bush-era tax cuts, 277-148."

But I'd say LAT's got the right takeaway, "Obama's tax-cut strategy may falter on other fronts":

President Obama's year-end deal-cutting with Republicans, which produced an important compromise on extending George W. Bush-era tax cuts, has come to represent what White House officials see as a successful template for the president's role on other issues heading into a contentious 2011.

By emerging as a mediator, Obama showed a way of doing business that many voters were expecting but didn't see during most of his first two years. As a result, White House aides now feel they have "a little wind at our back," a senior White House official said. That could help point the way on other issues, such as trade, education and energy.

But as the tax deal was wrapping up, there were few indications that Washington's partisan divide has eased. If anything, the gulf is likely to widen as a new, more conservative Congress is sworn in. Chances for repeating the bipartisan compromise that led to the tax deal stand to be sparse, many analysts think. Governing is likely to become even messier.

And interesting piece from David Dayen, "GOP Gets Chance to Cut Spending in February After Omnibus Collapses." (At Memeorandum.) Looking at the issues the GOP traded for a deal, I doubt conservatives will simply give up the fight. The New York Times has more on the congressional politics, on DADT and START: "Bid to Repeal ‘Don’t Ask’ Law Draws Support in Senate."

Black Swan: Dark Side of Perfection

That's the thesis at this review, and at NYT, "On Point, on Top, in Pain."

Saw it earlier this evening. A great thriller, both sensuous and taut. Natalie Portman nails it:

Matt Bors, Neo-Communist

The guy doesn't like me, but he'd obviously jump at the chance to go bareback with Julian Assange:

RELATED: Bors gets props from fellow commie Ted Rall, at the link.

More Lucy Pinder

At this bikini wash video:

Previously: "Lucy Pinder Holiday Rule 5."

RELATED: "Blogger Gets 2 Million Hits Because of His Insightful Commentary and Lucy Pinder’s Enormous Breasts, But Mainly ..."

Winona Ryder Looks Great in New GQ!

See "Winona Forever." (Photo slideshow here). And she dishes on Mel Gibson's anti-Semitism, and more (at WeSmirch).

Victoria's Secret's Christmas 2010

'Tis the season:

Plus, "The 10 Hottest Victoria's Secret Christmas Commercials" (via Linkiest).

Man Repellent

That's Leandre Medine (discussed previously).

Frankly, I don't think she's trying too hard, and the fashionistas love her.

Where is the String That Theseus Laid...

How about some Gothic rock?

Bauhaus, "In the Flat Field."

A gut pull drag on me
Into the chasm gaping we
Mirrors multy reflecting this
Between spunk stained sheet
And odourous whim
Calmer eye- flick- shudder- within
Assist me to walk away in sin
Where is the string that Theseus laid
Find me out this labyrinth place

I do get bored, I get bored
In the flat field
I get bored, I do get bored
In the flat field ...

And for your reading pleasure, the blogosphere's top atheist, PZ Myers links: "New rules: there are some things you are not allowed not to say anymore."

From what I gather, this dude is an in-your face kind of atheist.

And to think: I thought the Elizabeth Edwards backlash had died calmed down. Obviously not yet, and she's moldering by now.

Holiday Terror Warning Cites Car Bombs and Small Arms Attack

At ABC News, "Authorities Worry About Christmas Attack For 'Psychological Impact'."

The news has been buzzing a bit about holiday travel threats. It's serious, but the car bombing angle is especially interesting. My bet is that we'll indeed see "Mumbai-style" attacks in the U.S. at some point. The national security focus remains overwhelmingly on air travel, and the jihadi extremists will simply develop new approaches:

Federal law enforcement terror bulletins have become as much a part of the holiday season in the past decade as egg nog and department store Santas.

But this year, which ends amid a heightened concern over terror, is a little different. A Department of Homeland Security bulletin sent to law enforcement nationwide Thursday says that federal authorities worry terrorists will try to rattle Americans by attacking during the holidays, and lists concerns including car bombs, trucks ramming crowds and a Mumbai-style small arms attack.

"We are concerned these terrorists may seek to exploit the likely significant psychological impact of an attack targeting mass gatherings in large metropolitan areas during the 2010 holiday season, which has symbolic importance to many in the United States," The "Security Awareness for the Holiday Season" bulletin states.

The bulletin cites no specific threats for Christmas and New Year's, but makes clear that this year's enhanced concern is based on a persistent, evolving threat. The past 12 months brought multiple attempted attacks on U.S. targets, including the attempted Christmas Day underwear bombing of Northwest 253, Faisal Shahzad's failed Times Square car bomb, the "printer bomb" cargo plane plot and a number of alleged would-be bombers caught in stings in Oregon and elsewhere.

VIDEO: 'Larry King Live' Ends After 25 Years

Well, I promised, so here you go:

PREVIOUSLY: "Larry King Exit Marks End of Era."

And at Althouse, "Larry King, Bill Clinton, and the 'zipper club'."

The 8th Annual Right Wing News Conservative Blog Awards

At Right Wing News.

There's a really low response rate, but interesting nevertheless.

The Other McCain's pretty popular, Instapundit's overrated, and Dan Riehl's annoying.

I don't see Althouse making any of the categories, but she's great, fearless even.

Progressives and Rape

Here's the latest John Hawkins vlog, "Liberalism in 120 Seconds: Liberals and Rape":

Yeah, I wrote on this last night: "Jill Filipovic Responds to Michael Moore's Dismissal of Julian Assange Rape Charges as 'Hooey'." And they're not liberals. I'm gonna start bugging John about that.